tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34520981156063352222018-11-12T01:50:27.042-05:00Feed Me Like You Mean Itcultivating health through food and action • one part perspiration, one part fermentationAlex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.comBlogger251125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-8740129930399814002018-06-23T21:39:00.000-04:002018-06-23T21:39:10.387-04:00Carolina Slaw, Fermented Foods, and Fermented DrinksTwo new podcasts:
https://player.fm/series/the-urban-farm-podcast-with-greg-peterson/ep-357-alex-lewin-on-fermentation
https://player.fm/series/the-urban-farm-podcast-with-greg-peterson/ep-362-alex-lewin-on-kombucha-and-fermented-drinks
And a nice photo essay/recipe!
https://www.mountainfeed.com/blogs/learn/alex-lewins-fermented-carolina-slaw
If you have questions about any of this, Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-53419032886353371232018-04-02T12:13:00.000-04:002018-04-02T12:13:40.855-04:00Take Back Your Health Conference: May 19-20 in PasadenaI'll be speaking at the Take Back Your Health Conference in Pasadena on May 19-20.
About...fermented drinks!
(Unfortunately, the website doesn't always work right in Chrome--if you are having problems, try copying and pasting this link into a different browser: https://tinyurl.com/takeback2018 .)
There are too many interesting things happening for me to list here. Do check out the page if Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-69712856990193848852018-01-19T12:24:00.002-05:002018-02-13T11:57:19.448-05:00Mexico Retreat! And Predictions for 2018!
Two orders of business:
Fermentation Residency
My Predictions for 2018
[UPDATED TO REFLECT NEW MEXICO DETAILS]
First, my coauthor Raquel and I are hosting a Fermented Residency in Monterrey, Mexico, from April 21–22, 2018.
You can work side-by-side with us, together fermenting everything we can get our hands on. Also a chance to experience the Monterrey area, and taste some local food Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-71711274130927963602017-10-30T12:15:00.001-04:002017-10-30T12:17:50.257-04:00Book Tour!I'm making some appearances to talk about (what else) fermentation and real food, and to sign books!
Nov 5 in Pasadena (LA area): https://www.cultureclub101.com/event/alex-lewin-master-fermenter-author/
Nov 30 in Oakland (SF area): https://www.verlocal.com/event/tepache
Dec 10 in Oakland (SF area): https://www.farmcurious.com/products/fermented-beverages-class
Stand by for more appearances Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-49186005776378076982017-08-30T11:52:00.000-04:002017-08-30T13:04:03.056-04:00New Book: Kombucha Kefir and Beyond! Focused buy: Sept 2
Dear Reader,
I am thrilled to announce the publication and availability of our new book, Kombucha, Kefir, and Beyond! Co-author Raquel Guajardo and I put our heads, hands, and spirits together to create it.
If you are inclined to do so, PLEASE buy it on September 2, either on Amazon or at your favorite bookstore. I'll come and sign it for you later. :-D
For Amazon, use this link: http://Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-61435091292730908662017-07-31T08:19:00.000-04:002017-07-31T08:19:03.374-04:00Fermentation Festivals and Book Launches! Save the DateMark your calendars!
Boston Fermentation Festival, Sunday August 27
Farm to Fermentation Festival, Saturday September 2, in Petaluma, California
If you see me there, you will notice that I have written a new book, with coauthor Raquel Guajardo from Monterrey, Mexico!
More details to come.
Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-1612259356195125932017-05-23T21:13:00.000-04:002017-06-11T00:00:24.630-04:00Oakland Fermentation Demo Date Change: June 14, 2017
Our new date for the Oakland fermentation demo is June 14, 2017.
We will be sampling and demoing kvass, tepache, and switchel, and maybe some other surprises as time allows! Also lots of time for Q&A.
Sign up here to ensure your place...space is limited!
At Pollinate Farm & Garden in Oakland.Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-83382078746251555412017-05-09T11:38:00.001-04:002017-05-23T21:07:46.530-04:00Fermented Drinks Demos In Half Moon Bay And Oakland!Fermented drink demos this weekend, and again in June!
We'll be showing how easy it is to make fermented drinks like Beet Kvass, Tepache, Switchel, and maybe some others.
Click through the links for details:
THIS SATURDAY in Half Moon Bay at Sweet Farm, Saturday, May 13, 2017, 11:30-12:15 and 1:00-1:45
In Oakland at Pollinate Farm & Garden, Wednesday, June 14, 2017, 6:00PM
These Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-46989607175437274962017-05-01T21:03:00.000-04:002017-05-10T18:50:15.202-04:00Pickles (Jewish American Heritage Month)
photo courtesy of Betty Greenwald of "Love Brines"
This month is Jewish American Heritage Month.
The cucumber pickle, while not unique to Jewish American heritage, is somewhat iconic.
In honor of that, here is my recipe for fermented cucumber pickles. And when I say "my recipe", I realize that there are many recipes like it, but this one is mine. And I mean "mine" not in the possessive Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-30625704860467420742017-03-04T11:49:00.003-05:002017-12-11T11:47:28.563-05:00Today's Fermentation Demo: Program and Notes
I'm doing a fermentation demo and talk today at the Kitchen at Boston Public Market!
If the technology gods are willing, it will be live-streamed on the Real Food Fermentation Facebook page.
I'll be demoing the following recipes, and I'll have samples available:
- Sauerkraut
- Beet Kvass
- Tepache
And if there's time, I'll also demo:
- Preserved Lemons
I've blogged about Sauerkraut, Beet Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-26438528819416664192017-02-21T11:05:00.003-05:002017-02-21T13:18:50.192-05:00Fermentation Demo! Boston Public Market, March 4 1PM-3PM
Boston Folks:
I'm doing a demo from 1PM-3PM Saturday March 4 at The Kitchen at Boston Public Market!
Come learn how to ferment. Get a signed copy of my book.
And maybe there will be a sneak-preview of recipes from my new book with coauthor Raquel Guajardo!
Full info here: https://fermentation_101.eventbrite.com/?aff=Alex
Space is limited.
Hope to see you there!Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-56111164389252683062016-08-09T12:58:00.000-04:002016-08-09T12:58:56.219-04:00Boston Fermentation Festival! FREE! Aug 28 2016 10am-4pm at the Boston Public Market
Combining several of my favorite things! Fermentation, Boston, Boston Public Market, books, people.I'll be signing books and helping keep order.
Lots of other book-signers, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors, etc.
We are working out how to live-stream it. Ideally I will put a live feed on this page.Suitable for kids of all ages!
And FREE! As in "free beer" AND "free speech".
For more info: Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-80729111237530319372016-01-18T16:41:00.001-05:002016-01-18T16:44:10.887-05:00Pots and Pans
I was recently at a friend's house, and I expressed some concern when I saw her put some non-stick pans on the stove and heat them up with nothing in them.
"What kinds of pans should I be using?" she asked.
The answer isn't as simple as one might think. Keep reading if you're interested...
First off, for me, the known risks of non-stick pans (to say nothing of the unknown risks) outweigh Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-31645021862658739762015-10-27T01:32:00.002-04:002015-10-27T01:32:23.558-04:00How I Started FermentingKayla at Radiant Life blog did this interview with me: part 1 part 2. She was awesome--I was really happy with the results.
In the interview, we talk about how I became interested in food and nutrition, how I started fermenting, what my favorite fermentation recipe is, and more.
While I was reading it, I kept thinking, "Wow, I couldn't have said it better myself!" Then I remembered that I Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-60814745361231920272015-08-17T16:22:00.003-04:002015-08-17T16:25:12.636-04:00Santa Rosa, California, and Beyond: My 2015 Fall EventsHere's what I have so far for this late summer/fall:
Saturday August 22 2015 (soon!), 11AM-5PM: I will doing a beet kvass demo at the Farm to Fermentation Festival in Santa Rosa, California. (See recipe here.)
Sunday October 4 2015, 10AM-4PM: I've helped organize the Boston Fermentation Festival at the fabulous new Boston Public Market.
Sunday October 25 2015: My talk is called "Fermentation 101Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-87677873720387633132015-05-10T14:49:00.002-04:002015-08-17T16:25:25.948-04:00Beet Kvass: The Easiest Fermented Beverage
There are a lot of fermented beverages in the world.
Alcohol fermented beverages are very visible: some examples are wine, beer, hard cider, and mead. Historically, these beverages have served many roles. Alcohol has psychoactive properties, so since the beginning, these drinks have had roles in religious and spiritual ceremonies and practices. And alcohol is anti-microbial, so these drinks Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-2739428997018668682015-04-20T21:37:00.003-04:002015-04-20T21:37:46.938-04:00Basic Fermenting RecipesI'm making this post for attendees at the hands-on the workshop I did at Pollinate Farm & Garden in Oakland, California on April 19.
But anyone else is welcome to read the post too. :-)
Please post in the "comments" section below if you have questions, or if you'd like to discuss other ways to eat these fermented foods (I've offered a couple, but I've only scratched the surface).
My book, RealAlex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-35337637092920001662015-04-02T18:42:00.000-04:002015-04-02T18:43:34.741-04:00Making the Case for a Fermented PassoverA guest post by Jeremy Ogusky
We've all heard the story of the Israelites hastily leaving Egypt and not having time for their bread to rise. We know this as the explanation for why we’re forced to eat matzah, or unleavened bread. But are there any other explanations for why we scorn chametz, or leavened bread, during the 8 days of passover?
Let's first look at the word chametz, which is Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-44225186924863334302014-08-07T20:58:00.003-04:002014-08-07T20:58:57.619-04:00One More Nail In The Coffin Of The Lowfat DietYesterday I heard a segment on the radio (KQED public radio in SF) in which investigative journalist Nina Teicholz spoke about her new book, The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet. Her book makes a scientific, "evidence-based" case for eating a diet high in saturated fats, and explains the rise and reign of the low-fat myth.
She spoke well. The audio is Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-42939924949238303892014-07-11T21:17:00.000-04:002014-07-12T12:39:38.843-04:00Upcoming Events: Farm to Fermentation Festival, WAPF Massachusetts Conference, Boston Fermentation FestivalI have three very exciting speaking engagements coming up this summer and fall.
First, on August 24, is the Farm to Fermentation Festival, an annual event in Santa Rosa, California, 60 miles north of San Francisco. I believe it was at this festival a few years ago that Michael Pollan and Sandor Katz started talking about working together, which laid the groundwork for Pollan's book, "Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-6712025742984290312014-06-08T00:49:00.003-04:002014-06-08T00:49:58.844-04:00Boston Fermented Dinner And Drink Pairing Pop-Up, Monday June 16
Boston-area fermentos Geoffrey Lukas (of Sofra) and Jeremy Ogusky (of Boston Ferments and Ogusky Ceramics) have teamed up to offer a Fermented Dinner and Drink Pairing, at City Girl Café in Inman Square on Monday June 16. Details are here and here. It will be fabulous, and some of the proceeds will go to support the Boston Fermentation Festival in September. And all attendees will get a Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-24343059010531293822014-05-22T23:59:00.000-04:002014-05-22T23:59:21.196-04:00Conscious Eating Rather Than Perfect EatingFor most of us, it is not practical to eat only optimal foods. I often find myself eating food prepared by someone else in an unknown manner or eating MOUO (Meat Of Unknown Origin), and sometimes I don't have access to my favorite "good" foods.
This may happen when I'm at someone's house for dinner, not able to find a graceful way to turn down a meal that is served to me. Or I may be traveling, Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-58153396455170846822014-04-28T11:00:00.000-04:002014-04-28T11:00:03.484-04:00The "Donut Metric"Mercola posted a great article several months ago called "Surprising Foods with More Sugar Than a Krispy Kreme Doughnut", comparing the sugar content of a donut with the sugar content of various other foods.
His list is definitely worth a look. For context, here are the "Nutrition Facts" from the Krispy Kreme website. It turns out that a "sugar doughnut" contains only 9 grams of sugar—Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-57204318680222688242014-04-04T12:33:00.000-04:002014-04-04T12:36:19.136-04:00Boise Food & Health Weekend May 3 and 4 2014!Last year, blogger and friend Raine Saunders hosted a Food & Health Weekend at her home in Boise, ID. We had a fantastic time--I led a fermenting workshop, and there were also presentations on liver and pâté, and on "sun, sleep and supplements". In between, we visited farmers markets, spent time at the local hot springs, and had a real food potluck!
Good news: We are doing it again! It will beAlex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452098115606335222.post-58669881304206142632014-02-23T11:37:00.000-05:002014-02-23T11:37:00.541-05:00Doctors Are Not Always RightGeorge Washington died in 1799 at the age of 67. When he fell sick with what sounds like a cold or infection of some sort, he received care from eminent and respectable physicians. Nevertheless, within a few days, he was dead.
His medical treatments ranged from possibly helpful ("a medicinal mixture of molasses, vinegar, and butter") to very unhelpful (extensive bloodletting) to toxic (orally Alex Lewinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429248166523887174noreply@blogger.com2